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"Global peace and stability cannot be addressed without a lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

12.07.2024

Holding a press conference following the NATO Summit, President Erdoğan said: "During all my talks, I drew attention to the ongoing massacre in the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza in particular. I stressed that global peace and stability cannot be addressed unless a lasting solution is found to the Israel-Palestine issue."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Washington, D.C..

President Erdoğan said: "As the Allies, we have been displaying a steadfast stance in favor of the international law in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has been raging nearly for two and a half years. We have reviewed the decisions taken in the previous summits and agreed on further concrete steps. We have approved 'NATO's Security Assistance and Training Support for Ukraine' initiative and, in addition, decided to provide Ukraine with a multi-year financial support and appoint a senior NATO representative to Kyiv. Türkiye has been working intensively since day one for the termination of this war, which jeopardizes our common security and has destructive impacts that are felt by us all. It is our sincerest desire that the contacts, which we initiated with the Istanbul Process and crowned with the Black Sea Initiative, may be resumed and diplomacy may be given a chance. We believe that there will be losers in a just peace. I once again shared my assessments with our Allies throughout the Summit."

"WE ARE ONE OF TOP ALLIES IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MISSIONS OF THE ALLIANCE"

Noting that they discussed in detail the issues concerning the defense of the Alliance in the first session of the Summit, President Erdoğan added: "I emphasized that Türkiye, as always, remains committed to defending his Allies in the current international environment of deepening crises and increased tensions, and that it fulfills its responsibilities. We have already surpassed the 2 percent threshold goal in defense expenditures. We continue to be one of top Allies in terms of contributions to the operations and missions of the Alliance. Of course, it is essential that the spirit of unity and alliance be sincerely embraced by all the 32 Allies. Given the 75-year-old Washington Treaty and the decisions taken during the previous summits, there can be no logical or reasonable explanation for the ongoing presence of barriers or restrictions in the defense trade among the Allies."

Drawing attention to the importance of implementing the decisions adopted in Vilnius in terms of the unity, integrity and deterrence of the Alliance, President Erdoğan went on to say: "It is critical to step up the joint efforts in the fight against terrorism. Accordingly, we had the opportunity to follow up the decisions taken during the Madrid and Vilnius Summits. As you know, we updated NATO's Policy Guidelines on Counter-Terrorism last year. In line with the decisions taken in Vilnius, Mr. Secretary General appointed for the first time at NATO a Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism. We think that here is a need to strengthen the cooperation among the Allies in the fight against terrorism."

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ACCEPT THE CROOKED LINKS SOME OF OUR ALLIES HAVE FORGED PARTICULARLY WITH THE PYD/YPG"

Underscoring that Türkiye, as a country that knows well the bloody face of terror, fights against terror by paying high prices, President Erdoğan continued as follows: "We expect our Allies to display solidarity in the fight against terrorism, one of the two primary threats identified by NATO. This is also a requirement of the law of Alliance. The decisions we have taken and the permanent consultation mechanisms we have established during Finland and Sweden's accession process to NATO have led to a better understanding of the dimensions of the terrorism threat, particularly the PKK. However, it is impossible for us to accept the crooked links some of our Allies have forged particularly with the PYD/YPG, the PKK's extension in Syria. I am hereby reiterating my call for the abandonment of these wrongful policies that undermine the unity and integrity of the Alliance.

Pointing to the necessity for NATO to increase its engagement with its southern partners, President Erdoğan said: "In this scope, we signed in the Summit's first session important decisions that outline NATO's new approach to the South."

"THE CURRENT ISRAELI ADMINISTRATION CANNOT CONTINUE ITS PARTNERSHIP RELATION WITH NATO"

Stressing that a horrible massacre has been taking place in Gaza since October 7, President Erdoğan noted that nearly 40 thousand innocent people, most of them women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli attacks, and added: "Nearly 90 thousand people have been injured. During all my talks, I drew attention to the ongoing massacre in the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza in particular. I stressed that global peace and stability cannot be addressed unless a lasting solution is found to the Israel-Palestine issue. Israel is persistently not implementing the injunction of the International Court of Justice, where it is being tried with genocide accusation, and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. We now see a clearer picture. We are unfortunately faced with a wild-eyed structure that recognizes no law, including the law of war, regulation, value or boundary. Maintaining military support to Israel is unacceptable amid the current situation, whereby global conscience flocks to streets in order for the attacks that target Palestinian civilians to be stopped. I drew special attention to this issue during my address at the session. It is impossible for the current Israeli administration, which violates the fundamental values of the Alliance, to continue its partnership relation with NATO. Türkiye will not approve of the initiatives aimed at cooperating with Israel within NATO unless a comprehensive and sustainable peace is established in the Palestinian territories."

"WE STAND READY TO ASSUME ANY KIND OF INITIATIVE, INCLUDING GUARANTORSHIP"

Underscoring that it is impossible to establish a lasting peace unless the Palestinians, who have been suffering for decades on their own lands under occupation and oppression, are given the right to have their own independent and sovereign state, President Erdoğan said: "It is important for all the conscientious members of the international community to join forces for the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. In the meantime, we are extremely pleased by the increasing number of the countries that recognize Palestine despite all pressures and attempts for intimidation. Let me hereby state once again that we as Türkiye stand ready to assume any kind of initiative, including guarantorship, first for the declaration of a ceasefire and then the establishment of a lasting peace. I hereby call on all our allies to increase their pressure on the Netanyahu administration in order for a ceasefire to be declared and for humanitarian aid to be uninterruptedly delivered to the Gazan people, who have been tested with hunger for nine months."

"WE WILL DETERMINEDLY MAINTAIN OUR BALANCED AND JUST STANCE"

Stating that the leaders of the European Union and NATO's partners in the Indo-Pacific region Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and New Zealand participated in the second session of the Summit, President Erdoğan noted that the last session of the Summit has been held in the NATO-Ukraine Council format, and added: "During the session, I have stressed that Türkiye completely and firmly support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I have also pointed out that diplomacy should not be excluded, and that negotiating does not mean surrendering. I have also open-heartedly voiced my belief that no one should ever let NATO become a party to the war in Ukraine. We will determinedly maintain our balanced, calm and just stance we have been displaying on the conflicts between our two neighbors from now on as well."

Also drawing attention to his bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Summit, President Erdoğan went on to say: "During our talks, we have addressed our cooperation within NATO and how we can improve our bilateral relations. As is known, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Rutte, has been appointed as the next NATO Secretary General with the approval of all the allies. I trust Mr. Rutte to attach importance to allies' interests and sensitivities during his term. I also believe that he will pursue an approach that prioritizes the solidarity of the Alliance and the central role of NATO in Europe-Atlantic's security."

ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA

Responding to the question, "What concrete steps will Türkiye take in the field to stop Israel's military destruction and prevent the killing of people, including children?" President Erdoğan thanked the reporter for showing sensitivity on the Palestinian issue, and stressed that Türkiye has been taking all the necessary steps since day one regarding the Israel-Palestine war.

Underlining that nearly 40 thousand people have been killed and over 100 thousand wounded in the region, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has sent about 40 thousand truckloads of foodstuff to the region and that a large number of Palestinians have been transferred to the hospitals in Türkiye for treatment. Pointing out that Türkiye has also joined the case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, President Erdoğan called on other countries to do the same.

NATO'S ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE

In answer to the question, "NATO is providing assistance to Ukraine even though it is not a NATO ally. Yet, NATO does not have any such efforts towards Palestine. Have you made any recommendations to NATO in this regard? If so, what feedbacks have you received?" President Erdoğan stressed that these two issues should not be mixed up.

Noting that Türkiye and the Gulf states, in particular, have been doing their best regarding the Israel-Palestine war, President Erdoğan voiced his expectation that all the conscientious countries should do whatever they can concerning the issue.

F-16 PROCUREMENT

Asked about the ongoing process of Türkiye's F-16 procurement from the U.S., President Erdoğan stated: "I talked to Mr. Biden, he said, 'I will solve this problem in 3-4 weeks.' The issue regarding parts is something we always discuss."

In answer to a question about his remarks that he would meet with the Syrian President, President Erdoğan drew attention to the call he made two weeks ago either for Mr. Assad to come to Türkiye or for the two leaders to hold a meeting in a third country. Noting that he authorized the Turkish Foreign Minister to hold talks with his counterparts on the issue, President Erdoğan voiced his desire to overcome the resentments and launch a new process with Syria.

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION

Asked whether a peace agreement would be signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the end of the year, President Erdoğan said that this is a decision for Mr. Aliyev to make. Drawing attention to the favorable steps taken on the issue, President Erdoğan stressed that both the world and the region desire the establishment of peace in the region as soon as possible.

In answer to a question about Türkiye's accession process to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, President Erdoğan said: "Our goal is to become a permanent member there, not an observer member. Türkiye should now join the Shanghai Five as a permanent member. I discussed this issue separately with Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi Jinping. I also talked to the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. I requested support on this issue from all the permanent members."

PROCUREMENT OF EUROFIGHTERS

Asked whether he discussed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Türkiye's procurement of Eurofighters during their bilateral meeting, whose sales are blocked by Germany to Türkiye, President Erdoğan said: "We discussed the issue of Eurofighters. Mr. Scholz did not display a negative approach on this issue. We see that there is as positive course as possible in the continuation of our meetings and after the talk between the Ministry of National Defense and his counterpart. There are such positive developments regarding both Germany and the U.K.. We will all together follow the issue."

2026 NATO SUMMIT IN TÜRKİYE

In response to a question as to in which city the 2026 NATO Summit will take place in Türkiye, President Erdoğan reminded that a similar summit was held previously in Istanbul, and added that it will most probably be held in Istanbul.

Asked about the views of the allied countries on the support to be given Ukraine, President Erdoğan stated that all the allies favor peace, and went on to say: "I think peace will eventually prevail there. Most particularly, the one that will take place in Türkiye will be a summit where peace will be crowned. Most of the things will obviously change until then."

Answering a question about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, President Erdoğan said he discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and that they will be following the process.

"OUR MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS AKKUYU"

Asked whether there is a development regarding Türkiye's cooperation with EU countries in military industry, President Erdoğan noted that unfortunately there is no development on this issue with EU countries, and added: "Our most important step is Akkuyu and one of the most important units of Akkuyu is our relations with Siemens. There are these turbines that Siemens should send us. These turbines are now waiting at the German customs."

Stating that he raised this issue during their talks, President Erdoğan voiced his belief that they will overcome these setbacks.

Reminded of his statement that the NATO's second man would be from Türkiye, President Erdoğan, in response to a follow-up question as to whether any name is mentioned in this sense, said that they made their proposal, but that the decision is Mr. Rutte's to make.

"IT WILL BE INACCURATE TO INTERRUPT OR CAST A SHADOW OVER PEACE"

Asked about France's policies of active armament and revanchism in Armenia, President Erdoğan drew attention to his bilateral talk with President Emmanuel Macron of France, and said: "It will be inaccurate to interrupt or cast a shadow over peace there. If necessary, we can discuss these issues with Mr. Macron later on. We will meet again soon. And should there be any unwelcome developments in the region, we will share them with him."

In response to a question regarding his assessment on EU common defense, President Erdoğan stressed that it is early for him to answer such a question since Türkiye is not a member of the EU.